At some point in our travels most of us will have shared a flight with an annoying or inconsiderate passenger who nearly pushes us over the edge.

Feet kicking the back of your seat, someone constantly pressing the service button, a reclined seat or noisy children running up and down the aisles are some of the top bug-bearers that can trigger confrontations.

But research has revealed that there are psychological reasons behind why air travellers can sometimes be so badly behaved.

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Passengers feeling irate due to a 'loss of control' leads to many problems for airline staff

A reclined seat and noisy children have been known to trigger ugly confrontations on planes

Less than comfortable seating space and cramped quarters, poor bathroom facilities and no food or slow service put people in a bad mood at 35,000ft.

But this feeling of anger can start before travellers even board the plane and get even worse as they experience a spiralling loss of control as they check-in and pass through security.

Research shows a sense of 'not being in control' affects the mind, which can lead to irrational behaviour and a move away from being polite.

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A feeling of losing control can make air passengers badly behaved, research has shown

WHY ARE PEOPLE BADLY BEHAVED ON FLIGHTS?

A feeling of losing control

A desire to 'protect the space you've got'

Becoming angry and argumentative is contagious

The demographic of passengers has changed over the years

Alcohol acts as a catalyst to bad behaviour

Airlines' desperation for capacity can lead to misery for passengers

Speaking to Thrillist, clinical psychologist Dr Ramani Durvasula said: 'Few things can leave you feeling less in control than flying — someone else is driving, you can only get up when you have permission, there’s a lot of noise, you’re often left in the dark.

'When we feel out of control, our emotions get out of control too, and anger and frustration are going to lead the fray. It’s a recipe for rage.'

This loss of power leads to a short temper, but can also lead to a desire to act irrational.

Patrick Smith, airline pilot since 1990, suggests that cheaper tickets have led to a change in demographics of the flying public.

He added: 'In previous decades, when flying was a lot more expensive and exclusive, you didn’t have gangs of inebriated college kids flying off to Cancun for the weekend.

'Right or wrong, passengers don’t feel an obligation to behave as politely as they once did.'

Other factors that affect in-flight behaviour include lack of space, additional fees and not keeping yourself hydrated.

Being stuck to confined spaces and not having an escape route can make even the nicest of people see red.

Anger issues can begin before even stepping onto the plane, with queuing a major headache

The most worrying aspect is that this kind of behaviour can become contagious - such is the feeling of lack of control.

An example of this would be when a passenger decides to complain at sub-standard food - this leads to fellow flyers questioning their own dishes and leads to joining in on complaining, and perhaps shouting, at cabin crew.

The findings come after a passenger shaming website went viral. Passenger Shaming was set up in January 2013 to highlight some of the less than desirable habits some have adopted while flying.

A veteran pilot believes cheaper tickets have led to inebriated youngsters bringing a poor atmosphere on board

Shawn Kathleen, who has been a flight attendant since 2010, says her pet hate is people not flushing the toilet. But imagine her shock when this photo of urine in the sink was sent through

The photos, which are submitted anonymously by passengers and flight attendants, are posted to Facebook and Instagram and the results are sure to shock.

There are passengers photographed resting their feet near someone's head and on tray tables, as well as travellers sleeping with their feet in awkward positions.

There are also snaps of parents changing children's nappies on tray tables and leaving them on the floor or in the back seat pocket when they disembark.

Passenger Shaming group on Facebook has revealed shocking actions of passengers

How this person feels this is a legitimate way to act on an aeroplane is anybody's guess

Shawn Kathleen is responsible for the site and has been a flight attendant since 2010.

She has previously mentioned some her most feared habits, including people who don't flush the toilet and people going into the bathroom without shoes or socks.

Photos of unsupervised children vandalising the aeroplane with stickers and crayons have also made the cut for Passenger Shaming.

The Facebook page has drawn attention from passengers right around the world and currently has more than 17,500 likes.